This, I believe,was the true key to the secret of
all their plottings.
It came, as he said, from everywhere at once, and
seemingly evenfrom above our heads.
Now be still and dont talk; I am going to
sleep.
Moreover, the moral atmosphere of the place was
unwholesome andjarred upon me.
Kaneke is the post that holds up the roof of the
Abanda house. They, a dwindling,superstition-ridden race, desired once more to
become a power intheir world.
These beasts understand what is coming, said
Kumpana, and aremad with terror. You do not seek rain to make fruitful the fields of
the Abanda. The rain would stop you even if you escaped the spearsof the Abanda. I
never pretended to great courage,especially in wars that do not concern me. Stop
here till it grows lighter, I suppose, if it ever does inthis infernal place, I
answered. I obeyed in a great hurry and presently felt a soft hand leading meI knew
not where. Then addressing Kumpana in his own language, I went on.
Yet I should nothave come for this cause alone.
Also perhaps he hascome after someone else. Now, to my surprise Hans took up his
parable.
So I came, not for that reason but because hepaid
me, for in such fashions I earn my living. Now I thinkthat they are going to get
plenty.
He will only tell you that you are now the Chief of
hispeople and that I am your guest, not his. Kaneke, for you that Shadow has faded;
foryou she is dead. Whom you have proved to be a traitor and a liar, I said angrily.
Do you mean that she can give the Abanda rain if she chooses? The truth was that
already the manwas hedged round with ceremonial.
Thank you, Arkle, I broke in in English, but I can
look aftermyself. Although I received himsomewhat coldly he was very
polite.
Kumpana, I want to getout of your country at once;
risks or no risks, I wish to be off. Then her lips moved rapidlyas though from them
were pouring a flood of words, and the fancyfaded.
Are you afraid ofsetting the forest on fire? When
theyhad finished he turned to Arkle and with much deference inquiredhis views. You
seem to me to be a prisoner inall except name, though they call you a
chief.
Thus I always had a sense of being spied on, and
so, I think, didArkle. For a while there was silence in that room.
That Shadow-lady is a very good rain-doctoress,
Baas, said Hans.
Thank you, Arkle, I broke in in English, but I can
look aftermyself.
When I reached the roof I saw whence they
came.
Let us get back to the place where there is light,
and thinkthings over, I said. Then addressing Kumpana in his own language, I went
on.
Why didyou not run away after you had got Kanekes
ivory?